Bethel's Gayle starts at DE, turns in two sacks

November 13, 2010|By David Teel, dteel@dailypress.com | 247-4636

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Redshirt freshman defensive end James Gayle from Bethel High started for the second time and responded with his finest performance in Virginia Tech's 26-10 victory at North Carolina on Saturday.

Gayle had two sacks, matching his total from the first nine games. His 4-yard sack of T.J. Yates ended North Carolina's opening third-quarter series and gave Tech possession with the lead for the first time.

Following a short punt, the Hokies took over at midfield and drove to a fourth Chris Hazley field goal to extend their margin to 19-10.

Gayle started in place of Chris Drager, sidelined by a concussion sustained against Georgia Tech. His other start was against East Carolina in the season's third game.

The Hokies' other starting defensive end, senior Steven Friday from Phoebus High, was credited with six tackles, five of them solo. He had a half sack.

RECORD TIED

Fifth-year senior kicker Chris Hazley missed the first field-goal attempt of his career in the opener versus Boise State. He's made 17 straight since, tying the school record for a season, after a 4-for-4 day Saturday.

"I just want to keep it going," Hazley said. "I don't want to get comfortable."

His streak matches the Tech record established by Chris Kinzer in 1986 and matched by Brandon Pace in 2006. Hazley's kicks came from 52, 38, 26 and 23 yards, the first a season-long by 7 yards.

Coach Frank Beamer "looked at me and asked if I could do it," Hazley said of the 52-yarder. "I said, 'Let's go.' … I want them to know I'm dependable from 52 yards."

Hazley's range?

"I'd like to say 55 and in," he said. "On a really good day I've hit from 60 yards, but that was with the wind at my back."

Hazley pondered his 34-yard miss against Boise State.

"I'm not going to live that one down," he said.

Youth movement: Beamer said 33 of the 66 Hokies who traveled to Saturday's game are freshmen or sophomores.

"I think that speaks well for the future," he said.

INJURY REPORT

Special teams player and reserve tailback Tony Gregory is out for the season after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on punt coverage, according to Tech trainer Mike Goforth. Gregory was on crutches after the game.

"Right there, when we were covering that punt right before the half, I think he got tangled up," Beamer said.